O for Ormoc

Weesam was another name for another kind of fast craft, a moving vessel that can go up to four hours of nonstop boat ride that’ll take you to other parts of the Visayas. That Saturday it took us to Ormoc City, woot! I thought it snobbish for someone’s [from the city] first time to be in a province to ask someone from the Province if they have malls or at least taxis. But I can’t resist asking Paolo, the bike’s brother, if they have a water refilling station – which would signify if they have mineral water.

Paolo just laughed and handed me my first Ormoc city water in a glass. “People here drink tap water. It’s healthier,” he said. I just shrugged. I have a strong stomach, good thing.

Ormoc is pretty. It reminds me of Tagum City, Davao. The city is a small place that you could get around in ten minutes and we found ourselves at Pardi’s, a grill restaurant slash bar slash tapsilogan for dinner and its owners were accommodating enough to suggest that we get in to Dustria, an RNB club next to it, free of charge. Thinking that I’m in no condition to go clubbing, I had to pass. Plus I saw the interior of Dustria and uh, not really likeable. Sorry, but it is close to Autoshop bar here in Cebu where the, uh, others go to.

Across Pardis is Bedidas and oh, they have the best cakes! They told me their’s are homemade and they even had their creamers and sugars in sachets they patented after their name and logo. They made me bring a lot as souvenir to bring home to. It was a cute gesture I had to laugh.

 

The entire establishment is in the middle of their plaza and everybody was there. Just a typical Saturday night where everybody dressed in shorts and flip flops and were milling around with their coffee mugs in tow… very comforting

That same Saturday night we went to Sabin Resort where a local college was having their Mr. and Miss Pageant show inside the ballroom and Joey, Paolo’s cousin, was generous enough to hand us tickets. Check out their question and answer booboos!

Host: So… what is one first thing that you will do if you will win this contest?

Contestant: Thank you for the question.

(That’s it?)

 

Host: What’s your name?

Contestant: William

Host: What do your friends call you?

Contestant: Yumyum.

(My… )

 

Host: What do you think of the economy today?

Contestant: Anyway…

(Wasn’t that the first time she talked?)

 

More from these clips.

 

 

But serious,this time. Ormoc is nice, quiet and harmless. You wouldn’t even think of running into any of your old flames there. People close their stores at 7pm and go to sleep the next hour. You could hear birds chirping and crickets and everything that makes sounds at night and you wonder if anyone was having sex that time, the entire island would hear about it.

Philippines is beautiful. I see all those kids waking up early and donning their uniform and walking on a small bridge to get their school. I see a woman opening up a window and there lies her entire livelihood – a mini sari sari store that housed almost everything from Snow Bear to Sparkle soft drinks. I see the entire neighborhood of Villa Teresa traipsing inside Stars and Stripes – the all 99 store – because it’s newly opened and their goods are imported. Little did they know that almost all items there are priced from 80-99 and they still shell out more than they could afford to.

I am not saying that because I at one time doubted Philippine’s beauty but seeing and being in Ormoc makes think about those kinds of things – the reflections that make you stare at the car window and watch house by house pass by. I needed that. I needed that moment… not a magic moment, but something more that makes us better persons.